A former Vallejo rapper who authorities have been hunting for months as part of a national drug-trafficking ring, has been arrested in Las Vegas, U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner announced Thursday.

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Michael Lott, who performs as "Miami the Most," on charges brought in April, U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Lott will be brought to Sacramento after an initial appearance in the Las Vegas federal court, officials said.

Federal authorities believe Lott, a close associate of Vallejo rapper Mac Dre (Andre Hicks), who was shot to death in Kansas City in November, 2004, was involved in a drug trafficking organization that netted some 25 arrests earlier this year after a four-year investigation. At least 16 of those arrested were Vallejo residents, mostly Vallejo-based rappers and associates of Mac Dre's Thizz Entertainment recording label, officials said.

During the investigation, agents seized some 45,000 "ecstasy" pills, about four pounds of crack cocaine, a half-pound of heroin, and $200,000 in suspected drug proceeds, officials said. Agents also seized 230 acres of property valued at about $1 million as part of the investigation, they said.

The investigation uncovered a network of drug distributors working in Vallejo's "Crest" neighborhood, along with associates transporting large quantities of drugs outside of California, according to court documents. Still at large and being sought are Beshiba Cook and Bruce Thurmon, who performs as "Little Bruce."

Advertisement

Authorities have said Thizz Entertainment is an outgrowth of the notorious Vallejo-based Romper Room Gang, which was robbing banks, trafficking drugs and committing murder in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Vallejo Police Department helped with this case, along with the DEA Sacramento District Office, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department and the Sacramento FBI Safe Streets Task Force, officials said.